Have you seen our latest animated video for Take the Load Off, as part of the new Like Minds, Like Mine online campaign? It features a young student called Hannah who has experienced anxiety, depression and anorexia, and how her friends do simple things to show they care about her.

Finally, we have an update for you about two new suicide bereavement resources.

Policeman's road to the Auckland Marathon

JP was 26 when he first hit rock bottom. He had his first depressive episode when he was overseas and had to return to New Zealand.

He sees the world much clearer today and has his wife and children to thank for that. JP says that while mental illness is common, it’s not common enough that New Zealanders feel comfortable talking about it to each other. He wants to change that.

“My biggest message is to take care of yourself so it won't lead to something more severe."

Getting the balance right

Wendy loves her farm, but one day when she delved deep into her heart and head she discovered she was out of balance.

So she decided to rebuild her life – she rediscovered her passion for classical singing which helped her regain some balance. "It brings me a lot of joy. What it gave back to my family and business was the woman and the mother that they love,” Wendy says.

She also has a daily journal to record joyful moments on the farm and is regularly on her mountain bike, training for an upcoming adventure race.

Take the Load off focuses on the simple things people can do to help friends or family living with a mental illness. Hannah talks about how hard it is to hear people use words like "crazy" and "psycho", but how her friends and flatmates do simple things to lighten the load and show they care about her.

“It might be a buying me a block of chocolate, inviting me to go for a drive or leaving a nice note under my door… It’s so important to have people in your life who can hold onto hope for you and love you when you can’t do that for yourself.”